You might want to add JVC and Denon Direct Drives from the late 70's/early 80's to your potential buy list.
They are very well made, generally had excellent motors and the like and play well. To boot, many were semi-automatic...so much nicer than letting your stylus wear out by playing on and on until you lift it off/up.
Those with Q-damped arms best (servo or otherwise) of the lot.
They won't run you but $100-$500 (on the very high side)...leaving you lots of coin for a really nice cartridge (and don't scrimp on a cartridge, it matters). These quality TT's from analog's big budget heydey, before CD, will allow you to have a good table and allow you to purchase more cartridge then you ordinarily would have left in your budget.
It's all just my opinion - but I've been there and back with belt drivers and am currently enjoying a JVC with Q damped arm from the late 70's that I bought for $100. It's the best, and most adaptable for wide variety of cartridges, turntable I've owned yet.
Enjoy the analog ride, but don't forget to enjoy the tunes
